CHOISEUL emerged the victor of the second edition of the Dream X1 Saint Lucia T10 Blast when they defeated Micoud Eagles by 24 runs in the finals played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG) on Friday 14th May. The tournament was organized by the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA).
Micoud Eagles captain, Daren Sammy won the toss and invited Choiseul to take first knock. Choiseul went on to score 100 for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 10 overs with Audy Alexander top scoring with 31 from 27 deliveries which included 2 fours and 1 six. Other contributors with the bat, Canice Richardson 21 and Vince Smith 13.
Fall of wickets – 1 for 4 Junior Henry (3), 0.5 overs, 2 for 11 Jason Simon (2), 1. 5 overs, 3 for 41 Vince Smith (13) 5.2 overs, 4 for 61 Audy Alexander (31) 6.5 overs, 5 for 72 Valange St. Ange (9) 8.1 overs, 6 for 92 Nick Joseph (0) 9.1 overs, 7 for 92 Canice Richardson (21), 9.2 overs, 8 for 96 Clem St. Rose (1) 9.5 overs. Alvinaus Simon not out 7, Stephan Theophane not out 0.
Bowling for Micoud Eagles, Michael Charlery picked up 3 for 13, Tarrique Edward 1 for 10, Darren Sammy 1 for 20, Lanse Sammy 1 for 2 and Kuston Jules 1 for 29.
Chasing 101 for victory at a run rate of 10.1, Micoud Eagles did not get the usual start with openers Shervin Charles and Mervin Wells. Charles was first to go caught by Junior Henry off the bowing of Clem St. Rose for 4 with the score on 7 after 1.7 overs.
Daren Sammy who came in at No.3 for the first time in the tournament added 24 for the second wicket with Wells before he was bowled by Clem St. Rose for 10, 2 for 31 after 2.5 overs.
Murlan Sammy was next out bowled by Alvinaus Simon for 3 with the score on 40, the dismissal of Garvin Serieux for 11 caught by Junior Henry off the bowling of Vince Smith made it 4 for 64 from the final delivery of over No.6.
Earvin Frederick did not trouble the scorers; he was the fifth batsman out bowled by St. Rose without scoring, 5 for 64 after 7.1 overs.
With 37 still needed for victory in 2.5 overs and half the side back in the dug house, Micoud Eagles was in with a slim chance of winning, but when their main stay and opening batsman, Mervin Wells was next out lbw to Rose for 25, the writing was on the wall.
Kuston Jules 1 (7 for 69), Winnel Felix 3 (8 for 75), Michael Charlery 5 (9 for 75), while Tarrique Edward and Lanse Sammy remained 1 and 0 not out respectively.
Bowling for Choiseul, Michael Charlery bagged 3 for 16, Audy Alexander 2 for 10, Vince Smith 2 for 15 and Alvinaus Simon 2 for 19.
For the third-place silverware, defending champions South Castries Lions defeated Mon Repos Stars (MRS) by 25 runs on the Duckworth Lewis (DL) after they were asked to bat first by Mon Repos. The Lions went on to score 119 for the loss of two wickets in their allotted 10 overs.
Former West Indies ODI and T20 batsman Johnson Charles top scored with 65 from 26 deliveries which included 4 fours and 7 sixes at a strike rate of 250.00. Charles and Wade Clovis added 64 for the first wicket in 5.2 overs before Clovis was bowled by Jamal Lesmond for 6. Other contributors with the bat, Collinus Callendar 29 and Kemrol Charles 11 not out respectively.
Bowling for Mon Repos Stars, Jamal Lesmond 1 for 13 and Dichege Henry 1 for 30.
Requiring 120 for victory, MRS reached 72 for 3 in 8 overs with Craig Emmanuel top scoring with 26 not out. Other contributors with the bat, Khurnan Henry 19 and Sadrack Descartes 17.
Bowling for SCL, Collinus Callendar 1 for 5, Daniel Baptiste 1 for 15 and Sadrack Descartes 1 for 17.
In his brief remarks, SLNCA President Carol Henry thanked the players and the teams for their participation and support throughout the two weeks of competition. Also coming in for some praise was Sports Saint Lucia Inc (SSI) grounds staff crew marshaled by curator, Ken Crafton. Platinum sponsor, Dream X1, and their Saint Lucia representative, Sue Monplaisir. Other stakeholders/sponsors who assisted and aided in transforming the tournament into a reality.
“The 2021 tournament has left wonderful impression on me and I would vouch the same for everyone present, the two-week tournament was very well run and as the second edition we had our little challenges, but we overcame and today I stand here pleased and honored as to how successful the tournament was run,” Henry said.
“We are looking forward to hosting another tournament before year end,” The SLNCA Chief said.
Sue Monplasir congratulated the participating teams, especially Choiseul who showed that they were the better team at the end.
“Dream X1 is proud to be part of this event. This time around we met all the needs of the SLNCA. To you the players, always remember you are being watched, this may be an opportunity for big things. You have Daren Sammy who can share with you the experiences. When you get onto the field of play, give of your best because you never know who is watching you,” Monplaisir said.
Sports Director in the Ministry for Youth Development and Sports, Patrick Mathurin, on behalf of the Ministry congratulated Choiseul for winning the second edition of the SLNCA T10 Blast and the other participating teams for their high standard of play.
He added, “This is what we want to see in Saint Lucia, a return to sports and most importantly a return to cricket at the DSCG. It is very important that we make our players experience a world class facility that we have at all times and we must never bar them from playing at the DSCG.”
In awards presented, Choiseul received the Championship Trophy, gold medals and $10,000.00; Micoud Eagles, the second-place trophy, silver medals and $5000.00; third place, South Castries Lions $2000.00 and fourth place, Mon Repos Stars $1000.00. Most Runs (252) Johnson Charles, South Castries Lions, MVP of the tournament and most wickets (12 wickets) Lanse Sammy, Micoud Eagles.
